# Scene I explained — Titus Andronicus

> Chapter companion for Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Aaron celebrates Tamora's rise to empress and plots to advance his own position. He intervenes in a quarrel between Demetrius and Chiron over Lavinia, persuading them to set aside their rivalry and instead collaborate on a plan to rape her during a hunting party, with Tamora's support.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Brutality

Aaron explicitly plans the rape of Lavinia as a 'rape and villany' to be executed in the forest, framing violence as strategic.

### Power and Politics

Tamora's ascent to empress and Aaron's manipulation of the brothers' rivalry demonstrate how political power enables personal vendettas.

### Family and Loyalty

The brothers' initial conflict over Lavinia is resolved by Aaron into a pact, subverting fraternal loyalty to serve shared lust.

## Character check-ins

### Aaron

Revels in Tamora's imperial ascent and resolves to serve her; brokers peace between Demetrius and Chiron by proposing a joint rape of Lavinia.

### Tamora

Described by Aaron as newly elevated empress, 'Semiramis' and 'siren'; her wit and influence are to be enlisted in the plot.

### Demetrius

Quarrels with Chiron over Lavinia, claiming elder brother's right; agrees to Aaron's stratagem to rape her.

### Chiron

Defies Demetrius for Lavinia's love; persuaded by Aaron to join forces with his brother for the rape.

### Lavinia

Object of the brothers' lust; Aaron compares her to Lucrece and targets her for rape.

### Bassianus

Mentioned as Lavinia's husband and the emperor's brother, whose claim is to be circumvented.

### Saturninus

Referenced as the emperor whom Tamora will charm and whose commonweal will be shipwrecked.

## Key lines

> Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top, Safe out of fortune’s shot; and sits aloft, Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash; Advanced above pale envy’s threatening reach.

Tamora has risen to the highest power, beyond the reach of fate or jealousy.

_Aaron celebrates Tamora's secure position as empress._

> The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull; There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns; There serve your lusts, shadow’d from heaven’s eye, And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.

The forest is a lawless place where you can satisfy your desires unseen.

_Aaron urges the brothers to rape Lavinia in the woods, away from courtly eyes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters